Namibian international Peter Shalulile on Tuesday moved within touching distance of Collins Mbesuma’s 17-year-old record of 25 league goals in a single season, when he scored in the dying minutes to help his club Mamelodi Sundowns beat Sekhukhune United 2-0 at Ellis Park. 

With the DStv Premiership title sewn up by Sundowns, Shalulile and his teammates went into that encounter basically left chasing statistics. The Namibian thus pounced on the opportunity to close in on Mbesuma’s elusive record of 25 goals in a season, achieved during the 2004/05 season while playing for Kaizer Chiefs.

Aubrey Modiba opened the scoring for Sundowns in the 28th minute, before the history-chasing Shalulile rounded off a great overall performance with their second goal in added time to take his overall goal tally to 22 goals this season. 

Now boasting 22 goals under his belt and only three shy of Mbesuma’s record, Tuesday’s goal also marked the Namibian’s 50th club goal in 80 appearances for them since joining last season.

By scoring his 50th goal for the club in Tuesday’s win, Shalulile now joins the company of Sundowns greats such as Daniel Mudau, Raphael Chukwu, Katlego Mphela and Themba Zwane in reaching half-a-century of goals for them.

Sundowns have four matches left in the season, including the Nedbank Cup final against Marumo Gallants later this month.